Thomas b



. (No Model.)

T. B. LEPLBY.

NAPKIN HOLDER.

110.542,26?. Patented July 9, 1895.

Igacgfr homasleplejz Wilqzsscs UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE.

'rHoMAs B. LEPLE'Y, or ZUoK, onto, AssIeNoR` or ONE-HALF To JOSEPH GRANT, oF SAME PLACE.

NAPKIN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,267', dated July 9, 1895.

Application tiled November 15, 1894:. Serial No. 528,881. (No model.)

. which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in those devices which are provided for holding napkins before the breasts of persons who are engaged in eating and who desire to protect their clothes from' being soiled by the food. Usually these devices consist of a ring adapted to embrace the neck of the user and provided with means for holding the napkin in front of the person using it. This broad principle is present in my invention, and it y.also comprisesy two-lengths of spring Wire,

each formed with a coil between its ends and rigidly secured to each other by soldering or otherwise fastening the two ends together,

' the remaining ends being left free and with a bodied in the claims. In the drawings they are illustrated, and therein- Figure l represents a perspective view of a napkin-holder embodying the essential features of my invention; Fig. 2, a similar and reduced view showinga napkin attached to the holder; Fig. 3, a viewv showing a second manner of connecting the napkin to the holder.

The reference-letters a and b indicate, respectively, the two sections of wire comprising my device, and these are essentially of spring material and may be formed of any kind, provided this spring attribute is present. Thus all kinds of ornamental metal may be used, such as silver or plated ware; or, if this is not desired, ordinary steel wire may be used.

Each section of the device is shaped to form a coil l, which is located about midway the length of the same and which gives the arms 2 and 3 a tendency toward each other and to describe a shape which is substantially a portion of an ellipse. The arms 2 of each section a and b are curved regularly'and arranged side by side and rigidly secured in such a position by the application of the solder et, which is applied in two places, one near each coil l. By'these means the arms 2 are rigidly secured to each other, and they are arranged oppositely, so that one of the coils l will lie Vadjacent to each end of the arms 2.

Formed in the arms 2 and opposite each other are the bends 5, which are elongated f longitudinally with the arms and which are made coincident on the arms, so that when the parts' are assembled they will combine to form an enlarged opening extending equally into each arm 2, all of which is fully shown by Fig. l of the drawings.

The arms 3 of each section are curved slightly outwardly, as shown at 6, and when their normal tendency is not inuenced by anything else they will cross each other at points near their ends, as shown in Fig. 1.

'When, however, they are in place around the neck of the user, they will be forced apart, accordingto and for the distance which the size of the same will require. The arms 2 have their free ends extended slightly to form the spurs 7, which are provided to be passed through the napkin, so asto hold .it in place, all of which will be described hereinafter.

In the use of the invention .the arms 3 are made to embrace the neck of the person using it, and the spurs 7 of the holder passed through the napkin near two of its corners, as shown in Fig. 3. The napkin will now be spread out so as to lie in front of the user, as is the custom. The holder is removed by simply disconnecting the arms 3 from the persons neck,l` and the napkin is taken o by bending the arms 2, so as to release the spurs 7.

may be employed at the will of the user, but that of Fig. 3 is preferred.

IVhen not in use, the device maybe carried in ones pocket, so that it will be ready for immediate use, or it may be secured to or rolled up in a napkin and placed on a table with the same. This securing to the napkin may be done by passing the arms 3 around the napkin when folded or by passing the napkin between the arms 2, all ot' which will he understood.

It will also be obvious that the device could be constructed of ornamental material, and when combined with a napkin will serve to ornament and embellish the same.

Having described the invention, I claim- 1. A napkin holder consisting of two duplicate sections, each formed of an integral length of spring wire bent at a point between its ends to form a coil and having its ends extended to form the arms 2 and 3, the said arms of each section having a normal tendency7 to a partially elliptical position, and the arm 2 of one section being arranged parallel with the arm 2 of the other section, the two having their free ends projected to form spurs, said arms 2 being rigidly secured together so that a space will be left between their extremities and so that the arms 3 will be free, snbstan tially as described.

2. A napkin holder consisting of two sections, each formed of an integral length of spring wire, shaped to form arms 2 and 3 and having the arms 2 secured to each other so that their ends will project out to form spurs for attachment with the napkin, the arms 3 being free and having a tendency inward, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have heret'o axed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS B. LEPLEY. Witnesses:

CLINTON M. RICE, JOHN YOUNG. 

